Unger, Joseph M.

PURPOSE In the United States, the National Cancer Institute National Cancer Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) groups have conducted publicly funded oncology research for 50 years. The combined impact of all adult network group trials has never been systematically examined. METHODS We identified randomized, phase III trials from the adult NCTN groups, reported from 1980 onward, with statistically significant findings for ≥ 1 clinical, time-dependent outcomes. In the subset of trials in which the experimental arm improved overall survival, gains in population life-years were estimated by deriving trial-specific hazard functions and hazard ratios to estimate the experimental treatment benefit and then mapping this trial-level benefit onto the US cancer population using registry and life-table data. Scientific impact was based on citation data from Google Scholar. Federal investment costs per life-year gained were estimated. The results were derived through December 31, 2020. RESULTS One hundred sixty-two trials comprised of 108,334 patients were analyzed, representing 29.8% (162/544) of trials conducted. The most common cancers included breast (34), gynecologic (28), and lung (14). The trials were cited 165,336 times (mean, 62.2 citations/trial/year); 87.7% of trials were cited in cancer care guidelines in favor of the recommended treatment. These studies were estimated to have generated 14.2 million (95% CI, 11.5 to 16.5 million) additional life-years to patients with cancer, with projected gains of 24.1 million (95% CI, 19.7 to 28.2 million) life-years by 2030. The federal investment cost per life-year gained through 2020 was $326 in US dollars. CONCLUSION NCTN randomized trials have been widely cited and are routinely included in clinical guidelines. Moreover, their conduct has predicted substantial improvements in overall survival in the United States for patients with oncologic disease, suggesting they have contributed meaningfully to this nation's health. These findings demonstrate the critical role of government-sponsored research in extending the lives of patients with cancer.

PURPOSE Bone marrow biopsies (BMB) are performed before/after therapy to confirm complete response (CR) in patients with lymphoma on clinical trials. We sought to establish whether BMB add value in assessing response or predict progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) outcomes in follicular lymphoma (FL) subjects in a large, multicenter, multitrial cohort. METHODS Data were pooled from seven trials of 580 subjects with previously untreated FL through Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology (Alliance) and SWOG Cancer Research Network (SWOG) completing enrollment from 2008 to 2016. RESULTS Only 5/580 (0.9%) had positive baseline BMB, CR on imaging, and subsequent positive BMB ( P < .0001). Therefore, BMB were irrelevant to response in 99% of subjects. A sensitivity analysis of 385 FL subjects treated on an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group study was included. In the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group cohort, 5/385 (1.3%) had BMB that affected response assessment. Since some subjects do not undergo confirmatory BMB, we performed a landmark survival analysis from first radiologic CR with data from 580 subjects from Alliance and SWOG. Of subjects with CR on imaging (n = 187), PFS and OS were not significantly different among those with negative BMB to confirm CR (n = 47) versus those without repeat BMB (n = 140; PFS: adjusted hazard ratio, 1.10, 95% CI, 0.62 to 1.94, log-rank P = .686; OS: hazard ratio, 0.59, 95% CI, 0.23 to 1.53, log-rank P = .276). CONCLUSION We conclude that BMB add little value to response assessment in subjects with FL treated on clinical trials and we recommend eliminating BMB from clinical trial requirements. BMB should also be removed from diagnostic guidelines for FL except in scenarios in which it may change management including confirmation of limited stage and assessment of cytopenias. This would reduce cost, patient discomfort, resource utilization, and potentially remove a barrier to trial enrollment.

PURPOSE: Patient-reported outcomes may be associated with cancer outcomes. We evaluated clinically significant fatigue (CSF), overall survival, adverse events (AEs), and quality of life (QOL) during cancer treatment. METHODS: We compared outcomes in four phase II or III chemotherapy trials, two advanced non–small-cell lung cancer and two advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer, with or without baseline CSF. CSF was defined as a rating of two or greater on the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy fatigue question or a European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire—Core 30 fatigue symptom score of 50% or greater. Survival was compared according to CSF using Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox regression models. Differences in AE rates by CSF were assessed via chi-squared tests, and QOL changes from baseline to 3 months via linear regression. RESULTS: Of 1,994 participants, 1,907 (median age 69 years, range: 32-91) had complete baseline QOL survey data, with 52% reporting CSF at baseline. For the two hormone-refractory prostate cancer studies, baseline CSF was associated with higher mortality rates, with adjusted hazard ratios of (95% CI, P value) 1.32 (1.13 to 1.55, P < .001) and 1.31 (1.02 to 1.67, P = .03) and with increased incidence of grade 3-5 constitutional (16.5% v 9.4%, P = .002; 13.9% v 6.3%, P = .002) and neurologic (11.7% v 6.1%, P = .006; 9.0% v 3.9%, P = .01) AEs, respectively. Baseline CSF was associated with a higher mortality rate in one non–small-cell lung cancer study: hazard ratio 1.44 and 1.04 to 2.00, P = .03. CONCLUSION: Oncology trial participants with baseline CSF had poorer survival and experienced more AEs than participants without CSF. This indicates fatigue as an important baseline prognostic factor in oncology treatment trials.

140 Background: Prior studies have suggested that patient-reported outcomes may be associated with cancer outcomes. We evaluated the association between clinically significant fatigue (CSF) and adverse events (AEs), quality of life (QOL), and overall survival (OS) during cancer treatment. Methods: Four phase II or III chemotherapy trials, two each in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC), were used to compare patients with or without baseline CSF. Baseline CSF was defined as a rating of 2 or greater on the FACT fatigue survey question or an EORTC QLQ-C30 fatigue symptom score of 50% or greater. Change in QOL from baseline, AE rates, and survival were compared according to baseline CSF with linear regression models, equality of proportions chi-squared tests, and Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and Cox regression models, respectively, separately for each trial. Results: Of 1,994 participants, 1,907 had complete baseline QOL survey data, with 52% reporting CSF at baseline. Baseline CSF was associated with an increased incidence of grade 3-5 constitutional (16.5% vs 9.4%, p = 0.002 and 13.9% vs 6.3%, p = 0.002) and neurological (11.7% vs 6.1%, p = 0.006 and 9.0% vs 3.9%, p = 0.01) AEs, respectively, in two studies of advanced HRPC. Overall, patients with baseline CSF had significantly lower baseline QOL across all four domains (p < 0.01). Across all four studies, baseline CSF was associated with higher mortality rates, with adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval, p-value): 1.34 (1.14, 1.57, p < .001) and 1.30 (1.02, 1.66, p = 0.03) in NSCLC studies, 1.49 (0.95, 2.35, p = 0.09) and 1.53 (1.12, 2.11, p = 0.008) in HRPC studies. Conclusions: Oncology trial participants with baseline CSF had significantly lower baseline QOL, experienced more adverse events and had poorer survival compared to participants without CSF. We have confirmed previous work indicating that fatigue is an important baseline stratification factor that should be considered in all oncology treatment trials. Consistent with other research, our results indicate that fatigue should be measured and ameliorated wherever possible among advanced cancer patients.

8038 Background: Bone marrow biopsies (BMB) are performed pre/post therapy to confirm complete response (CR) in patients (pts) with lymphoma on clinical trials. We evaluated 2 prior data sets and concluded that BMB impact response assessment in a minority of pts with follicular lymphoma (FL) (Rutherford BJH 2017; Rutherford ASH abstract 1605, 2018). We sought to establish if BMB add value in assessing response or identify distinct progression free (PFS) or overall survival (OS) outcomes in a large, multicenter, multi-trial cohort. Methods: Data were pooled from 7 trials of 580 pts with untreated FL conducted through the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology and SWOG from 2002-2016. The proportion of pts with positive (+) baseline BMB, CR on imaging after treatment, and (+) repeat BMB was calculated using total pts enrolled as the denominator. We tested against the null hypothesis that the proportion was = 10%, the threshold below which BMB would be considered irrelevant for response assessment, versus (vs) the alternative hypothesis that this proportion was < 10%, using 1-sided exact binomial test. Response criteria were CT-based. Imaging was not used to assess BM involvement. Because confirmatory BMB were not completed in all indicated pts, landmark survival analyses compared PFS/OS of pts with CR on imaging and negative (-) BMB vs pts with CR on imaging without repeat BMB. Pts with CR on imaging were categorized as having (-) repeat BMB or no repeat BMB within 60 days of first CR on imaging. PFS and OS were calculated from time of first CR and estimated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox models adjusting for age, sex, stage, Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI) score, and treatment type (targeted vs chemotherapy plus targeted therapy), and stratified by treatment arm. Results: Median age was 55 with 51% male, 96% stage III-IV, and 88% grade I-II. FLIPI scores were 113 low, 265 intermediate, and 199 high risk. 67% received chemotherapy-based regimens. Baseline BMB was (+) in 321 (55%). Only 5/580 (0.8%) had (+) baseline BMB, CR on imaging, and subsequent (+) BMB (p < 0.0001). Of pts with CR on imaging, PFS and OS were not different among pts with (-) BMB vs pts without repeat BMB (PFS: HR = 1.08, 95%CI 0.61-1.93, p = 0.783; OS: HR = 0.52, 95%CI 0.20-1.40, p = 0.199). Conclusions: BMB requirements may discourage pt participation in trials and add pain, expense and time without providing necessary information. We recommend eliminating BMB for response assessment from FL clinical trials. Clinical trial information: NCT00553501, NCT01145495, NCT01190449, NCT01286272, NCT01829568, NCT00822120, and NCT00770224 .

Abstract Background Although physical activity has been consistently associated with reduced breast cancer mortality, evidence is largely based on data collected at one occasion. We examined how pre- and postdiagnosis physical activity was associated with survival outcomes in high-risk breast cancer patients. Methods Included were 1340 patients enrolled in the Diet, Exercise, Lifestyle and Cancer Prognosis (DELCaP) Study, a prospective study of lifestyle and prognosis ancillary to a SWOG clinical trial (S0221). Activity before diagnosis, during treatment, and at 1- and 2-year intervals after enrollment was collected. Patients were categorized according to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans as meeting the minimum guidelines (yes/no) and incrementally as inactive, low active, moderately active (meeting the guidelines), or high active. Results In joint-exposure analyses, patients meeting the guidelines before and 1 year after diagnosis experienced statistically significant reductions in hazards of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.42 to 0.82) and mortality (HR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.34–0.77); associations were stronger at 2-year follow-up for recurrence (HR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.31 to 0.65) and mortality (HR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.19 to 0.52). In time-dependent analyses, factoring in activity from all time points, we observed striking associations with mortality for low- (HR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.24 to 0.68), moderate- (HR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.23 to 0.76), and high-active patients (HR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.18 to 0.53). Conclusions Meeting the minimum guidelines for physical activity both before diagnosis and after treatment appears to be associated with statistically significantly reduced hazards of recurrence and mortality among breast cancer patients. When considering activity from all time points, including during treatment, lower volumes of regular activity were associated with similar overall survival advantages as meeting and exceeding the guidelines.

PURPOSE Despite reported widespread use of dietary supplements during cancer treatment, few empirical data with regard to their safety or efficacy exist. Because of concerns that some supplements, particularly antioxidants, could reduce the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy, we conducted a prospective study ancillary to a therapeutic trial to evaluate associations between supplement use and breast cancer outcomes. METHODS Patients with breast cancer randomly assigned to an intergroup metronomic trial of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and paclitaxel were queried on their use of supplements at registration and during treatment (n =1,134). Cox proportional hazards regression adjusting for clinical and lifestyle variables was used. Recurrence and survival were indexed at 6 months after enrollment using a landmark approach. RESULTS There were indications that use of any antioxidant supplement (vitamins A, C, and E; carotenoids; coenzyme Q10) both before and during treatment was associated with an increased hazard of recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio [adjHR], 1.41; 95% CI, 0.98 to 2.04; P = .06) and, to a lesser extent, death (adjHR, 1.40; 95% CI, 0.90 to 2.18; P = .14). Relationships with individual antioxidants were weaker perhaps because of small numbers. For nonantioxidants, vitamin B12 use both before and during chemotherapy was significantly associated with poorer disease-free survival (adjHR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.92; P < .01) and overall survival (adjHR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.22 to 3.40; P < .01). Use of iron during chemotherapy was significantly associated with recurrence (adjHR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.20 to 2.67; P < .01) as was use both before and during treatment (adjHR, 1.91; 95% CI, 0.98 to 3.70; P = .06). Results were similar for overall survival. Multivitamin use was not associated with survival outcomes. CONCLUSION Associations between survival outcomes and use of antioxidant and other dietary supplements both before and during chemotherapy are consistent with recommendations for caution among patients when considering the use of supplements, other than a multivitamin, during chemotherapy.

Background Sexual and gender minority individuals face numerous cancer‐related inequities, many of which appear to be underreported. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no one has assessed rates of acquisition of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data within community oncology settings. Methods Community oncology practices that were part of the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) network were asked whether they routinely collected SOGI information and coded this information in their electronic medical records. The proportion of practice groups reporting routine collection of sexual and/or gender minority information was calculated. Potential associations between the collection of SOGI information and practice group–level and state‐level characteristics (from Gallup poll data) were also provided. Results Twenty‐four percent of the responding NCORP practice groups reported routine collection of sexual orientation information, and 10% reported collection of gender identity information. Practices located in western regions of the United States, practices in states with higher proportions of sexual and gender minority–identifying individuals, and practices with lower proportions of non‐Hispanic patients were more likely to ask patients about sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Conclusions US oncology practices that participate in research do not frequently collect SOGI information from patients with cancer. Educational initiatives should inform oncology staff and providers about the importance of collecting gender identity and sexual orientation information to improve existent disparities faced by sexual and gender minority patients.

Abstract Introduction. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of paclitaxel treatment. There is conflicting data on the benefits and harms of supplement use for the treatment and prevention of CIPN. We examined dietary supplement use before diagnosis and during treatment in relation to CIPN among breast cancer patients registered to a clinical trial (SWOG 0221; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00070564) before diagnosis and during treatment in relation to CIPN. Methods. At trial registration (baseline), breast cancer patients (n = 1,225) completed questionnaires to capture use before and at diagnosis of multivitamins and other dietary supplements. Of these patients, 1,068 completed a 6-month follow-up questionnaire to capture use during treatment. We examined the use of multivitamins, vitamins C, D, E, B6, and B12, folic acid, iron, calcium, glucosamine, and combined fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), omega-3, flaxseed and cod liver oil at these timepoints in relation to CIPN. CIPN was assessed via the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-Ntx) subscale. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were computed using unconditional logistic regression. Results. Multivitamin use before diagnosis was associated with reduced symptoms of CIPN (CTCAE adjusted OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.42-0.87; FACT/GOG-Ntx adjusted OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.61-1.00). Although in a similar direction as use prior to diagnosis, multivitamin use during treatment was less strongly associated with CIPN (CTCAE adjusted OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.49-1.08; FACT/GOG-Ntx 0.77, 95% CI = 0.60-0.99). Other supplement use, either before diagnosis or during treatment, was not associated with CIPN. Conclusions. Our results indicate that supplement use during treatment may not appreciably affect experience of CIPN symptoms. Future analyses of the relationships between supplement use and survival outcomes will better inform patient decision making. Acknowledgments: supported by R01 CA116395 (CBA); S0221 supported, in part, by National Cancer Institute/Division of Cancer Prevention SWOG NCORP Research Base grant 5UG1CA189974-02; National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN): CA180888, CA180819; and in part by Amgen, Inc. Citation Format: Gary R. Zirpoli, Susan E. McCann, Lara E. Sucheston-Campbell, Dawn L. Hershman, Gregory Ciupak, Warren Davis, Joseph M. Unger, Halle C.F. Moore, James A. Stewart, Claudine Isaacs, Timothy J. Hobday, Muhammad Salim, Robert B. Livingston, Gabriel N. Hortobagyi, Julie R. Gralow, Daniel F. Hayes, G. Thomas Budd, Kathy S. Albain, Christine B. Ambrosone. Supplement use and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in breast cancer patients treated on SWOG study S0221. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3413.